NEWS
Boutique market defies economic trends
Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:21 AM
by Pete Denk
Despite a sluggish world economy and months of declining bloodstock values, a high-end boutique international market emerged at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings.
A combination of factors propelled the sale to its 45.6% increase in total sales and an average of $328,434, both the second highest in Saratoga history.
Fasig-Tipton gave the venerable sales grounds a facelift, took its customer service to a new level, stepped up its recruitment of buyers, made a push to further internationalize the sale, and increased its synergy with the Saratoga race meeting.
Sellers did their part by sending some of the best horses in decades to the auction. Several consignors already said they would target the sale with boutique-type horses next year.
Judging by the results, Fasig-Tipton has taken positive steps toward its stated goal of creating the premier yearling market place in the world.
“It was nice to see Fasig-Tipton’s efforts pay off as a sales company and for Saratoga as a true select-sale market,” said Bill Farish of Lane’s End, which sold the $2.8-million sale-topping Storm Cat colt, as agent. “We’ve hoped and thought this could happen, and that’s what led to our increased participation up here. Will we want to do this again next year? Absolutely.”
Three Chimneys President Case Clay said he thought the most significant change was the internationalization of the sale.
“The biggest thing Fasig-Tipton did was bring in the European buyers,” Clay said. “It’s no longer an exclusively American pedigree horse sale, and it will allow for different types of horses.
“The results were quite remarkable given the environment out there. It makes you think about selling a nice horse up here next year.”
Duncan Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency said he will have to look at the entire year’s auction results before saying what effect the Saratoga results would have on the marketplace
“There’s a lot of positive signs here for the future of this sale, but I don’t think you build a brand or revitalize a sale in one year. You have to look at a five-year-plan, but I’ll say they’re off to a good start,” Taylor said. “It all is a cumulative thing. Getting new buyers in and making sure they have a good experience is important.”
Taylor said this year’s results should encourage sellers to send certain types of high-end yearlings to Saratoga in the future. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who was top buyer with 12 purchases for $11,850,000, attended the Saratoga sale for the first time in more than 20 years.
“As far as where you can sell a top horse, I think what happens at this sale could affect where people want to sell their horses next year, but I don’t think you’ll see a drastic change right away,” Taylor said. “Sheikh Mohammed buying as many as he did and being here personally, that definitely could change some of your thinking as a seller.”
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times
